Agricultural Machinery, Irrigation Equipment, Parts, and Components

Market Overview

Argentina has a long-established local industry manufacturing farm machinery and implements. The sector is composed of approximately 730 companies and was one of the first industries to develop in the country because of agriculture’s historically predominant role in the Argentine economy. As a result, 10 percent of these companies have been operating for over 50 years in the country. According to local statistics, domestic production of agricultural machinery and equipment accounts for around 60 percent of the total sector. The Government of Argentina’s import substitution efforts have increased domestic production and competitiveness of seeders, sprayers, and tools. In recent years GOA demands have forced equipment manufacturers to incorporate more local content, with multinationals now using more than 50 percent local components.

During 2014, the sector suffered a reduction of profits as a result of the fall in commodity prices and high inflation that raises the cost of inputs. The year 2015 will be crucial to maintain their positions in the market.

Distribution agreements, joint-ventures with domestic manufacturers and licensing are potential options, but U.S. firms should choose their partners carefully given that protection of intellectual property is a continuing challenge and some local Argentine firms have been known to copy patented foreign designs.

Sub- Sector Best Prospects

Irrigation Equipment: The Argentine market for irrigation systems has been growing in recent years due to the increased amount of Argentine farmland dedicated to row crops. Currently, 5.6 million acres representing around seven percent of farmland are under irrigation. Recently, the Government of Argentina has launched a program to double the amount of irrigated areas. The project’s objectives will be to increase the 28 percent of the exiting irrigated areas.

Parts and Components: Annual sales in this subsector currently represent approximately 12 percent of the total market, with a large number of Argentine producers of agricultural implements and some growth in domestic production of tractors and combines. Argentine agricultural producers are gradually integrating technologies that help to minimize use of agricultural inputs while maintaining high yields; they increasingly draw on foreign suppliers for key components. This offers opportunities in technologies ranging from precision agriculture to key components for domestically manufactured equipment such as self-propelled sprayers, storage hoppers, and heads for combines, among others.

Opportunities

Products offering cost savings are in great demand, as are those that increase and improve the quality of agricultural products. Among the most sought-after products are: information technology services and products for agriculture such as autopilots, wireless connections, Wi-Max networks; GPS/INS systems; geographical information technology (GIS) data collection software applicable to soil analysis, crop yields, and remote sensing; NDVI sensors and the use of telematic engineering. Equipment locally produced for export must incorporate technologies applicable to the engines in order to reduce air pollution.

Please note that the applicable restrictions have to be checked on a case-by-case basis for the importation of used and remanufactured/reconditioned machinery and parts.

Total Market Size = (Total Local Production + Total Imports) – (Total Exports)

Data Sources:
Total Local Production: Unofficial estimates based on industry reports
Total Exports: Argentine Customs/Trade Nosis
Total Imports: Ministry of Economy
Imports from U.S.: Ministry of Economy

The traditional ExpoChacra and FeriAgro shows have joined together to create this single, much-needed industry venue that will serve as a meeting point, where exhibitors display their agriculture products, services, and equipment to an interested audience.

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